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Hockey

The Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves celebrate their victory over the London Jr. Knights to win the Telus Cup Central Region Championship in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. on April 8, 2012. DJ Hancock, a defenceman with the team, died in a crash Thursday night on his way home from tryouts for the Sudbury Nickel Barons. (Michael Purvis/QMI Agency/Files)

Charges are pending after a three-car crash that killed an 18-year-old hockey player late Thursday night.

Dean Maxwell Junior (DJ) Hancock, who played for the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves midgets for two years, was on his way home from tryouts for the Sudbury Nickel Barons when a westbound pickup truck crossed the centre line and hit the Suburu he was driving head-on. Hancock was pronounced dead at the scene.

Another truck travelling behind Hancock piled into the back end of his Suburu, said police spokeswoman Const. Lucie Sirois. That driver was taken to hospital and remained there Friday.

The driver of the westbound truck was treated for minor injuries and released.

"The talented defenceman just finished putting on a great display of his abilities and had the Barons' coaching staff impressed with his grit and skill level before his life was taken tragically minutes after leaving the arena," the Nickel Barons said on their website.

"The Barons, through Hockey Canada, will have a grief counsellor available to its players and staff beginning this evening and throughout the entire season," said the team.

Walter Carter, 39, was charged Friday with breach of condition in a matter unrelated to the death of Hancock but related to impaired driving charges in January after he was involved in a crash. Those charges haven't yet made their way through the court system.

Sirois said more counts relating to the Hancock fatality won't be laid until police have everything they need to lay the appropriate charge.